Demonstratives

Demonstratives

This and these

We use this (singular) and these (plural) as pronouns.

This and these

• to talk about people or things near us. (e.g. This is a nice cup of tea.)

• to introduce people. (e.g. These are my friends John and Michael.)

• to begin a conversation on the phone. (e.g. Hello, this is David. Can I speak to Sally?)

Be careful!

We say, This is John and this is Michael. (NOT These are John and Michael.)

That and those

We use that (singular) and those (plural) as pronouns to talk about things that are not near us.

Examples

• What's that?

• Those are very expensive shoes.

• This is our house, and that's Rebecca's house over there.

Replies with that's

We also use that to reply to something someone has said something to you.

Examples

• 'Shall we go to the cinema?' 'Yes, that’s a good idea.'

• 'I've got a new job.' 'That's great.'

• I'm very tired.' 'Why is that?'

Poll

Hello, ___ is Sandra speaking. How may I help you?

• this

• that

• these

• those

Poll

A: Jeremy, ___ are my parents, Catherine and Roger. B: Hello, it's nice to meet you.

• this

• that

• these

• those

Poll

Look, ___ is my business card. Give me a call next week.

• this

• that

• these

• those

Poll

A: My car was stolen last night. B: But ___'s terrible! What happened?

• this

• that

• these

• those

With nouns

We can also use this, these, that and those with nouns. We use this and these for people or things near us and that and those for people or things that are not near us.

Examples

• This (We have lived in this house for twenty years.)

• These (Have you read all of these books?)

• That (Who lives in that house?)

• Those (Who are those people?)

Poll

I'm sorry I'm late.

• Thank you.

• That's OK.

Poll

Our cat died yesterday.

• That's sad.

• That's a good idea.

Thank you

Goodbye!